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Cool Joe

Published by Jason Gairey on June 28, 2010

joe decima At this year’s 5A High School Provincial Championships in Saskatchewan, Regina’s Dr. Martin LeBoldus High School battled their way to the championship game where the top two high school teams in the province would go head-to-head.

The LeBoldus Golden Suns’ star guard, Joseph DeCiman had been spectacular all season, leading his team to the finals only to lose to Saskatoon’s Holy Cross 92-79. DeCiman, managed to lead his team throughout the championship averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds in three games. A stellar performance was cut short by only one thing, losing in the championship game.

Considering that his team didn’t even make it to provincials last season, this in itself was another big accomplishment for the young rising star from the prairie lands.

“Joe [DeCiman] is a hard worker, [who is a] dedicated, intelligent, well rounded individual,” says Wade Bartlett, his high school coach.

The 6’5” forward, who has played every position on the floor, has been on the radar for some time. He is an explosive player, who is strong, extremely athletic and has dazzled high school basketball for the last couple of years with his acrobatic play and high flying dunks.

His ability to score at will and attack you anywhere on the court is impressive to say the least and is something that has not gone unnoticed by his coach, who asked him to do other things for the team this past year.

“He was asked to play the point for us this year, and jumped at the opportunity. He can play all positions. Humble as he is, when he’s on the court, he’ll do anything you ask of him,” Bartlett said.

This attracted the eyes of Canada Basketball last season, and gave the 16 year old kid from Regina an opportunity to show that he belonged amongst Canada’s elite.

He was practically a shoe-in for the Canada’s first ever Cadet U16 National Team that competed last summer in Germany and the chance to play alongside the best Canada had to offer was a humbling one for DeCiman. The experience was definitely positive one though because Canada earned a Bronze medal at the tournament and a bye into this year’s U17 FIBA World Championships in Germany.

The hard preparation and chance to play against the top competition in the world last summer helped elevate his game to another level. As he continues to work on his ball handling and shooting ability, the benefits of improvement showed, and his game blossomed this year for his high school team.

After finishing the season with a record of 18-12, they made a very strong push in the Saskatchewan High School Provincials, winding up in the championship finals. All this while averaging 25 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists a game, including a 46 point 22 rebound explosion during one game. Not bad seeing how he did this all as a 10th grader.

DeCiman, with one more year left under his belt, can taste a high school championship. Him and his teammate, all-star senior 6’6” Marcus Ward, another strong player for the Suns, will make LeBouldus High a favourite for next year’s title.

“Were looking to win our second city title in four years, and our first provincial title since 1983,” Bartlett said, “When Joe [DeCiman] comes back this summer from Team Canada, he will no doubt be even better, and best player in the province.”

Selected once again to the U17 Cadet Team this summer, DeCiman still knows his work is cut out for him. Like many, he has goals that he wants to accomplish, step by step. His strength, intensity and athleticism make him a key component on a young national team filled with an abundance of potential.

“Joe [DeCiman] has shown the work ethic and commitment to improve as a player,” says Canada’s U17 Cadet Team Head Coach Roy Rana, “I am very impressed with him this summer and he will be an important part of this year’s squad.”

There hasn’t been a player since Kai Williams (South Dakota State) that has drawn this much attention to the province of Saskatchewan. An honor roll student, humble as he is, who is hungry to play at the next stage. A stage that is another one of DeCiman’s goals.

With a look from NCAA D1 school Detroit Mercy and many more to come calling, DeCiman stays humble, hungry and he still stays cool.

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